Performance evaluation of multilayered ceramic composite armors: New design and advanced predictive method

Abstract

Novel body armors are designed to protect against ballistic threats in the most vulnerable organs within the thorax and abdomen. Decreasing the armor weight without affecting its total integrity after the impact is one of the most challenging tasks. In this study, we combine advanced numerical simulations and experimental tests to investigate the ballistic performance of multilayered armor systems (MAS) consisting of laminated alumina (Al2O3) ceramic plates with multi-curve form and a hybrid composite backing. The ballistic trauma absorption and ceramic fracturing morphology are considered evaluation criteria. The investigation provides enough data on the measured trauma and the results are compared to advanced monolithic ceramics. The ballistic tests showed that bonding three or two ceramic plates with polymeric interlayer decreases considerably the eroded ceramic mass in comparison to monolithic ceramic tiles. Furthermore, the layup of two thin Al2O3 tiles with frontal confinement gives the same trauma-weight index as monolithic silicon carbide and reaction-bonded boron carbide plates. The combination of K129 and KM2 aramid weave fabrics decreases the composite backing weight by 33% and increases its ballistic performance in comparison to homogeneous aramid fabrics. Numerical simulations that involve the use of solid Lagrange and adaptive solid/smooth particles hydrodynamics (SPH) numerical approaches with detailed 3D models of the bullet and the MAS are presented in this work. Based on the statistical analysis, a better prediction of the back face deformation and bullet residual length is obtained by the adaptive solid/SPH method, which is found more suitable for the simulation of multilayered armor impact scenarios.

Experimental and numerical study on failure mechanisms of bone simulants subjected to projectile impact

“…56 In case of high-speed impact phenomena, it is crucial to include dynamic effects in the analyzed materials. 57,58 The rate effects are taken into account in the *MAT_063_CRUSHABLE_FOAM model by defining a set of curves for different strain rates. Each curve determines the yield stress in function of volumetric strain for a different strain rate.…”

Experimental investigation on the perforation behaviour of sandwich panels with hybrid composite face sheets and cellular aluminium core using quasi-static and instrumented inverse impact methods

“…This adhesive offers a higher bonding strength than polyurethane adhesives. The adhesive thickness was selected based on previous studies conducted by the authors and other references, [48][49][50][51] which guaranteed an excellent bonding during impact tests. The applied thickness was around 0.2 mm, and the sandwich panel was kept at room temperature for 24 h. The used adhesive with the applied thickness was assumed to distribute the impact energy in a broader surface of the aluminium foam, which increases the energy absorption capability of the sandwich panel by increasing the zone of plastic deformation of the core.…”

Research progress on ceramic nanomaterials reinforced aluminum matrix nanocomposites

“…Recently, there is an extensive research thrust for the fabrication of high performance materials for advanced engineering fields [1][2][3][4]. Advanced composite materials are a class of materials with high strength and modulus, lightweight, good ductility and other desired functional properties [5][6][7][8]. In general, composite materials are defined by a materials with at least two phases.…”